14th September 2018

Josh Calland hopes of a happy return to action when he competes at the Polish Open in Warsaw this weekend.

The Liverpool born fighter left the GB Academy earlier this year but is now back for a second crack at a major career breakthrough.

Josh, 20, joins seven other members of the Manchester trained GB Taekwondo squad taking part in the tournament on Saturday, September 15 and Sunday, September 16.

A bronze medallist at the Luxembourg Open and World Championship competitor in 2015, Josh   joins Jacob Barnett competing at -68kg.

“My parents have always wanted what is best for me,” he explained. “So, when I told them I was re-joining the GB set-up, they were really happy for me and are helping me in any way they can.

“My goal is to improve my Olympic ranking in the -68kg category and to continue to improve in and out of training.

“The support staff have already helped me in many different ways since I have re-joined the team.

They keep me improving on and off the mat with different analysis on how taekwondo is changing and helping me adapt to it.

“Training has gone really well and the coaches are helping me improve different parts to my game.”

The Polish trip is a big one too for Cardiff born kick boxer, Joel Walsh. Back in January, GB Taekwondo launched a new talent scout portal on Instagram with the hashtag #Taekkers.

Joel, National champion at -63kg last year,seized the opportunity by uploading a video of himself in action, filling in an online form and sending off his application.

Now’s he’s a member of GB Taekwondo’s elite performance squad and looking forward to forging a new sporting career.

On the #Taekkers initiative, Joel added: “It is a good and efficient way of scouting talent.

“The world is changing, and everyone uses social media. It was great to be picked up this way.”

Schedule

Male:

Saturday, September 15

-58kg: Joel Walsh (Cardiff)

-68kg: Jacob Barnett (Bradford), Josh Calland (Liverpool)

+87kg: Jack Spall (Attleborough)

Female:

-49kg: Maddison Moore (Blakedown)

-57kg: Kyla Julien (Huddersfield)

Sunday, September 16:

Male:

-87kg: Brandon Jewell (Southampton)

Female:

-73kg: Rebecca McGowan (Falkirk)

*Watch Olympic medallists Jade Jones and Bianca Walkden compete at the Manchester edition of the World Taekwondo Grand Prix, which is back at the Regional Arena from 19-21 October. Tickets are now on sale via http://www.kickingforglory.com